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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






2. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






3. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






4. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






5. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






6. The distance in pitch between two notes.






7. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






8. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






9. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






10. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






11. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






12. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






13. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






14. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






15. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






16. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






17. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






18. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






19. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






20. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






21. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






22. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






23. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






24. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






25. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






26. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






27. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






28. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






29. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






30. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






31. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






32. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






33. The first violin in an orchestra.






34. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






35. A string of chords played in succession.






36. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






37. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






38. The highest female voice.






39. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






40. Pertains to tone or tones.






41. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






42. A group singing in unison.






43. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






44. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






45. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






46. A separate section of a larger composition.






47. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






48. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






49. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






50. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.